A visit to the Cambodian Seaside: Kep

Growing up in England, we never went to the ‘beach on vacation’, we always went to the ‘seaside on holiday’! I think the difference was that in England the land next to the ocean often didn’t have sand or a real beachy feel so you literally were beside the sea. It was also more than that, seaside to me means small towns with character and charm with no large resorts or all-inclusive luxury properties. They were these charming little places where you went and ate taffy and relaxed next to the sea on the two weekends a year it wasn’t raining!

Kep to me is a return to the seaside. Located in the South of Cambodia on the Gulf of Thailand, it’s this charming town that takes me back to being a kid. It’s about collecting shells and eating fish and chips and not being overwhelmed with an abundance of choice, but rather being completely satisfied in the simplicity of it all.

In the 1960’s Kep was the escape of the rich and famous with a road of deserted villas that speak to Kep’s popularity in it’s heyday. Now Kep is a small town just waking up to the knocking of tourism on it’s door. There is construction throughout the little community and more restaurants, bars and guesthouses are popping up. But despite this more recent influx, Kep is still a seaside town. It doesn’t have the beach and nightlife of Sihanoukville or the name of Kampot, but it has more charm than either of them.

Once here there are about 10 hotels to choose from in the more midrange to high end market, though none that are truly luxury. There are also guesthouses throughout. See Kep Hotel reviews here. You can ride bicycles, make the obligatory boat ride to Rabbit Island and visit local pepper plantations, but really Kep is about slowing down and appreciating the little things: pepper crab, fresh prawns and family time…throw in some fish and chips and I might as well be 5 again.

Getting there:

Kep is located about 4 hours from Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Journeys Within can arrange a van to take you there or there are regular daily buses.

Getting around:

Once there you can rent bicycles, motorbikes or just wander. To get to Rabbit Island you need to head to the pier and you can join with other travelers or rent a boat of your own for $20.

You can see my Kep hotel reviews here, my top five are:

1. Knai Bang Chatt

2. The Champey Inn Resort

3. Veranda Natural Resort

4. Kep Lodge

5. The Beach House

You can see my Kep restaurant reviews here, but my top five are:

1. Breezes

2. Veranda Nature Resort Restaurant

3. Kimly Seafood Restaurant

4. Le Brise Restaurant

5. Barruca Restaurant